Profiled system for applying a cosmetic product, method for making same, and applicator assembly and assembling method for such an assembly

ABSTRACT

In order to enable application of a calibrated dose of product deposited on the brush, the invention proposes an application system whereof the stem, the brush and the stripper have a similar type of profiled shape. A profiled system for applying a cosmetic product comprises an applicator mounted on a stem, and a stripper ( 32 ) having an opening ( 34 ) through which the applicator passes. The stem is integral with a capsule ( 12 ) and the stripper mounted on the neck of a small bottle containing the cosmetic product. The invention is characterized in that the applicator consists of a comb ( 10 ) and the stem ( 14 ) forms an extension of the comb ( 10 ). The stem, the brush and the opening of the stripper have a substantially identical cross-section, whereof the contour includes a protuberance with substantially elongated section in a median plane (P).

[0001] The invention relates to a profiled system for applying liquid orcream cosmetic products, such as mascara for eyelashes or eyebrows, amethod for fabricating such a profiled system, as well as an applicatorassembly featuring such a system and a method for assembling this typeof assembly.

[0002] Applicator systems for eyelashes and eyebrows generally consistof an applicator in the form of a brush, a brush-holding shaft to holdand measure the pre-set quantity of product, and a wiper seal, whichlimits the amount of product picked up by the brush and wipes off theshaft.

[0003] In order to allow extraction of a product adapted to theapplication, various solutions were proposed.

[0004] It is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,387, how toeffect the rotation of the application system with respect to the cap orthe wiper with respect to the flask, which allows adaptation to anybrush profile.

[0005] Some application systems substitute a rigid tip made of injectedplastic in place of the brush.

[0006] Patent FR 2 796 527, for example, describes a brush featuringrows of teeth made of plastic material that are alternately slanted,forming notches. According to U.S. Pat. 4,804,004, the molded applicatorcomprises a brush made of cylindrical plastic bristles projectingperpendicularly from a base.

[0007] State-of-the-art applicator techniques do not enable applicationof a measured amount of the product deposited on the brush, making itdifficult to apply a sufficient quantity of cosmetic product.

[0008] The invention is intended to remedy the disadvantages of theabove-mentioned state of the art by proposing an application systemwhose stem, brush, and wiper all have similar profiles.

[0009] More precisely, the object of the invention is a profiledapplication system for cosmetic products for eyelashes or eyebrowscomprising an applicator mounted on an elongated shaft along an axis, aswell, as a wiper with an opening through which the applicator passes.

[0010] The shaft is integral with a capsule, and the wiper is integralwith the groove of a flask containing the cosmetic product. With thissystem, the shaft has at least one continuous projection along itslongitudinal axis, and the applicator is a comb whose cross-sectionalcontour is essentially the same as that of the shaft, and the opening inthe wiper has a contour that is essentially fitted to the cross-sectionof the shaft.

[0011] Under these conditions, a calibrated dosage is achieved when aspecified volume of product is deposited into the brush row through theopening of the wiper with the same profile.

[0012] According to the specific method of production of the applicationsystem:

[0013] the comb has at least one row of teeth, whose interstitialdimensions are determined as a function of the type of composition andtexture of the product being applied, in order to measure the quantityof product likely to be restored during application

[0014] the capsule is screwed or snapped onto the flask

[0015] the flask has at least one comb orientation ramp on the wiperopening to permit alignment of the comb contour with this opening

[0016] a lip around the wiper opening to scrape excess product depositedon the comb, and a guide bead is formed in the wiper to ensure centeringof the comb and shaft on the lip

[0017] at least one retaining ring on the outside surface of the wiperpermits rotation of the wiper, while keeping the wiper upright in theflask

[0018] the comb is formed by one or two extensions that arediametrically opposed to the longitudinal axis extending along a medianplane and carrying one or two rows of teeth; these teeth may or may notbe diametrically opposed

[0019] the shaft, comb and opening of the wiper have a cross-sectionthat is substantially identical to three to eight projections, forming astar-shaped cross-section

[0020] the teeth in each row are adapted to the dedicated functions bymeans of different interstitial gaps between the teeth in the first rowrelative to the second, on the one hand, and by the flat or biconcaveshape of the external sides of the respective rows, on the other inorder to deposit a cosmetic product on the upper or lower eyelashes,respectively, as well as to produce a “volumizing” or separating effect

[0021] the functions intended to separate or apply [cosmetic products]to the lower eyelashes are carried out using a comb that has flat sidesfitting into a convex lip of the wiper in order to exert greaterpressure on the row with flat sides above that exerted on the concaverow

[0022] the profiles of the shaft, comb and wiper opening are ofquadriconcave, quadrilinear or biconcave-bilinear shape

[0023] visual or mechanical means of foolproofing are fitted to the comband/or the wiper in order to position so that it faces the faces of thecomb and the wiper that must fit together during the insertion of theshaft into the wiper.

[0024] the comb features, at its end, at least one beveled section tofacilitate the insertion of the comb into the wiper

[0025] the shaft and the comb and, optionally, the housing, are moldedfrom a single molded piece

[0026] the wiper material is chosen from either a low-densitypolyethylene or an elastomeric thermoplastic material

[0027] the comb and shaft material may be made from polypropylene,polyamide or polyoxymethylene.

[0028] The invention also relates to an applicator assembly, comprisingthe above-mentioned application system combined with a packaging caseadapted for this system, as well as an assembly method for an applicatorassembly.

[0029] With this method, the first step is to pre-position the wiper onthe shaft; once the flask has been filled with the product, the shaft isinserted into the groove of the flask the first time that it is closed,i.e., when the packaging case abuts against the vial; the wiper is drawnin by the housing and is permanently set into the groove of the vial.

[0030] According to an advantageous manufacturing process, when hecasing abuts against the vial, by being pushed or screwed down, thewiper ends up in an intermediate position in which the ring is incontact with a portion of the groove. In this position, the grooveexerts a force with an axial component on the ring then being inserted,whereas in the groove, in a permanent retaining position, some play iscreated between the wiper and the extent of the casing. This means ofproduction thus makes it possible to avoid a double simultaneous gapbetween the casing and the wiper and between the casing and the vial.

[0031] The invention also relates to a manufacturing process for such asystem, in which the shaft and comb assembly is realized by molding.This mold advantageously has one or more of the joint planes arrangedoutside the toothed portion of the comb. In this way, the mold leaves noburr on or between the teeth and there is no risk of the comb tearing orcutting the user's eyelashes.

[0032] The mold also advantageously has vent holes in close proximity tothe teeth to allow air to escape during injection of the plastic.

[0033] In order to facilitate the unmolding of the product, the comb ismolded around an axial pinto hold this comb along the longitudinal axisduring unmolding.

[0034] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following description pertaining to anembodiment referred to in the attached figures, which represent thefollowing, respectively:

[0035]FIG. 1, a longitudinal cross-section of an applicator assemblyaccording to the prior art

[0036]FIG. 2, an isometric view of an example of a comb and shaftmounted on a housing for an application system according to theinvention

[0037]FIGS. 3 and 3a, a longitudinal cross-sectional view of anapplicator assembly according to the invention, and a blow-up of part ofthis view

[0038]FIGS. 4a and 4 b, longitudinal and cross-sectional views IV-IV ofa comb with two rows of teeth in an application system according to theinvention

[0039]FIG. 5, an isometric view of the comb according to FIGS. 4a and 4b

[0040]FIG. 6, an isometric view of a comb with a single row of teeth

[0041]FIGS. 7a and 7 b, an isometric view and a partial cutaway view ofa wiper in an application according to the invention

[0042]FIGS. 8a and 8 b, longitudinal sectional views of the wiper in twoperpendicular cutting planes;

[0043]FIG. 9, a perspective view and partial cutaway view of theapplicator system

[0044]FIGS. 10a to 10 d, partial cutaway views of the main stages of amethod for assembling an applicator assembly according to the inventionwhich, in its final stage (FIG. 10d), has been enlarged; and

[0045]FIG. 11, a perspective view of a comb with four rows of teeth anda cross-shaped profile.

[0046] In the figures, identical reference numbers refer to identical orcorresponding elements. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a mascara applicatorassembly according to the prior art comprises the following:

[0047] a receptacle (1), containing the mascara reservoir, called a“vial” and generally manufactured by means of injection or extrusionblow molding of plastic material

[0048] a device (2) for plugging the vial, called a shaft-casingcomprising, when assembled, a casing (21), a threaded-head shaft (22)and a brush (3); the shaft screws down onto casing (2) (sic) on vial (1)carrying brush (3) affixed to it, and

[0049] a wiper joint (4), intermediate element between the vial and theshaft casing, mounted in the insertion groove (1 a) of vial (1), andwhich has a dual function of ensuring watertightness between the vialand the casing in the closed position (as shown), and removing excesscream from the brush, as well as wiping off the shaft during use.

[0050] In comparison, the perspective view of FIG. 2 illustrates anexample a shaft-casing system for mascara application according to theinvention, comprising a comb (10) mounted on a casing (12) by means of ashaft (14), with this shaft having a contour identical to that of theteeth (11) of the shaft. The comb thus appears to be formed by ablationof the material at the end of the shaft.

[0051] An example of the complete applicator assembly according to theinvention, as seen from the longitudinal cross-sectional view throughthe axis of symmetry X′X as illustrated in FIG. 3 and the partiallyenlarged view. FIG. 3a, thus consists of the following:

[0052] shaft (12), topped with a tip (13) which is countersunk into it:

[0053] shaft (14) with a comb (10) at its end, forming a single piecewith casing (12) in this embodiment

[0054] a wiper (32), and

[0055] a vial (30) whose insertion groove (31) acts as a seat to thewiper.

[0056] The securing of casing (12) onto vial (30) is ensured by snapping(FIG. 3a) between a contact surface (40) on the casing connected with anannular boss (41) belonging to the casing and the groove of the vial. Inorder to keep the wiper in the groove, two annular rings, (33 a) and (33b), formed on the circumference of wiper (32), slide into annulargrooves (35 a) and (35 b) formed in vial (30). Such a connection allowsthe wiper, on the one hand, to remain in place when the comb iswithdrawn from the vial and wiped, and, on the other, to rotate aroundaxis X′X so that it aligns with the comb when comb is reinserted intothe vial.

[0057]FIGS. 4a and 4 b show more clearly comb (10) and a portion ofshaft (14), viewed as a longitudinal section according to a median planeP and in cross-section according to IV-IV.

[0058] Comb (10), whose width and length are 7 mm and 25 mmrespectively, has two regular rows, (11 a) and (11 b), formed by evenlyspaced teeth (11). The teeth in each row extend in opposite directionsstarting from the axis of symmetry X′X. Row (11 a) has longer teeth, 2.9mm compared to 2.6 mm, separated by an average space smaller than theteeth in the opposite row 11 b, 0.2 mm, compared to 0.4 mm.

[0059] As shown in the cross-section in FIG. 4b, the comb and shaftmainly extend along an axis, Y′Y forming the path of the plane of mediansection P of FIG. 4a, with a geometric shape that is generallydiamond-shaped, flattened along the main diagonal Y′Y. Row (11 a) hastwo flat sides, F_(a), whereas row (11 b) has two concave sides F_(b).Rows (11 a) and (11 b) and the corresponding shaft parts are connectedby the central core (15). The corresponding parts of the shaft followthe same profile, since the geometric envelope of the comb has a shapeidentical to that of the shaft.

[0060] Under these conditions, row (11 a) contains a quantity of mascara(50) that is noticeably less than row (11 b) between their respectiveteeth. The quantities of mascara are calibrated by the surfaces and byinterstice 20 between the teeth. Row (11) is thus devoted solely toseparating eyelashes or applying mascara (50) on the user's lowereyelashes, whereas row (11 b) is devoted to giving volume (“volumizingeffect”) or to applying mascara (50) onto the user's upper eyelashes.

[0061] The shaft and comb assembly is produced by molding. The mold hasa land that is perpendicular to the primary plane of the comb, which isdefined by the main diagonals Y′Y of the cross-sections of the comb. Asa result, the mold leaves no burrs. The mold advantageously has airholes in close proximity to the ends of the teeth, so that the mold isproperly filled with the material to be polymerized, e.g.,polypropylene. In order to facilitate unmolding of the two parts of themold, and in particular the rows of teeth, a pin is inserted into thecentral core (15) of the comb.

[0062] The isometric view of the comb in FIG. 5 shows the differences inshape and structure of rows (11 a) and (11 b) of the comb according toFIGS. 4a and 4 b.

[0063] According to a variation illustrated in FIG. 6, in an isometricview, a single row 11 c is formed, with the row of the comb andcorresponding shaft forming a projection along the comb's longitudinalaxis X′X. The person skilled in the art adapts the length and spacing(20) of the teeth (11) of all variants to the type of product to beapplied. In particular, this adaptation is a function of the chemicalcomposition, physical properties, such as viscosity and wettability,texture and composition of the mascara (50) to be applied.

[0064] In order to permit effective scraping of the external rectilinearsides of a single- or double-rowed comb, as well as effective wiping ofthe shaft of the same profile, wiper (32) has an opening (34) which hasfour concave sides forming a “quadriconcave” assembly, as illustrated inFIGS. 7a and 7 b.

[0065] The isometric view (FIG. 7a) shows the principal characteristicsof wiper (32): a quadriconvex lip (36) for scraping the product, withthe external contour of the lip forming opening (34), a narrowing point(37) for guiding the body of the wiper, corresponding to a ramp formedin the wiper for aligning the comb with the opening (34), a wiperrotation ring (33), and the upper seating joint (32 a) on the vial.

[0066] The partial cutaway view of the wiper (FIG. 7b) shows in greaterdetail the presence of a bead (38) for centering and wiping the comb inthe wiper, which forms a passage (34′). Such a bead, formed inside thewiper, is sufficiently resistant to guide the comb and align it withopening (34). In this way, when the user turns the casing, as isnormally done with a conventional closure system, the bead (38) on thewiper is able to bear the forces generated by the shaft in the wiperwithout being damaged, while protecting lip (36) which is as fine as ablade, and which would otherwise be deformed and damaged.

[0067] This bead is continuous in the example shown, but may bediscontinuous in other variants. In the embodiment shown, but notlimited thereto, the scraping lip has a thickness of about 0.5 mm with asquare edge, and the centering bead has a thickness according to thelongitudinal axis of about 1.7 mm with a rounded profile.

[0068] Longitudinal section views according to the perpendicular sectionplanes VIIIa and VIIIb of the aforementioned wiper are shown in FIGS. 8aand 8 b. In these figures, joint (32 a), ring (33) and lip (36), as wellas bead (38) can be seen.

[0069] In FIG. 8a, the body of wiper (32) appears slightly cupped andsymmetrical with respect to the central axis X′X, whereas in FIG. 8b, itappears asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis X′X, so thatthey fit together in the shape of opening (34) by integrating ramp (37)onto a single land of the face. Passage (34′) is likewise indicated inFIGS. 8a and 8 b.

[0070]FIG. 9 shows a partial cutaway perspective view of an example ofan application system in use after withdrawal of comb (10) from wiper(32) with the elements of the application system aligned with an axisthat coincides with the axis X′X of the comb. The opening (34) in wiper(32) is aligned with the contour of comb (10) and the envelope of thecomb corresponds to the contour of opening (34) of the wiper.

[0071] At its end, the comb has a beveled portion (14 a). This cutawaymaterial facilitates insertion of the comb into the wiper. It may becarried out on the side without the row of teeth or on the one with therow of teeth.

[0072] In this embodiment, the wiper is produced by injection moldingusing a thermoplastic elastomer with a known procedure allowingunmolding of the counter-tapers formed by the bead.

[0073] An example of an assembly of the applicator assembly, featuringthe profiled system of a casing and a vial, is illustrated in FIGS. 10ato 10 d.

[0074] Wiper (32) is, first of all, pre-positioned (FIG. 10a) on shaft(14), for example, against gap (12 a) created by casing (12) in itsconnection with shaft (14). After filling flask (30) with the product(FIG. 10b), the casing-shaft-wiper assembly is aligned axially with vial(30) and shaft (14) is introduced into groove (31) of the latter.

[0075] Thrusting casing (12) into this locking arrangement by means of asnapping motion, for example, causes it to abut against vial (30) (FIG.10c), and places wiper (34), drawn in by casing (12), in an unstableintermediate position.

[0076] In this intermediate position, ring (33) is in contact with aspecified portion of groove (34). Thus the groove exerts an axialcomponent force F on ring (33) of wiper (32), shown in dotted lines onthe enlarged FIG. 10d. The ring is thus set by itself into groove (34)according to a final retaining position of wiper (32) (indicated bysolid lines) in the groove (31) of the vial, creating a play between theupper surface (32)s of wiper (32) and the gap (12 a) in the casing. Thisproduction method thus makes it possible to avoid the creation of adouble gap between the casing and the wiper on the one hand and thecasing and the vial on the other.

[0077] The invention is not limited to the examples of productiondescribed and shown. For example, it is possible to provide an openingin the wiper that has a quadrilineal or biconcave-bilinear shape. In thelatter case, visual or mechanical means of foolproofing are made on thecomb and the wiper in order to position it in front of the rectilinearand concave sides of the comb and the wiper.

[0078] Moreover, the casing can be secured to the vial by screwing iton. In this case, the wiper is rendered so that it can rotate freely byany means known to the person skilled in the art to allow alignment ofits profile with that of the comb and its shaft.

[0079] In addition, it is possible to provide rows of teeth that are notregularly spaced, in such a way as to adapt the quantity of product tobe applied as a function of the area where the product is to be applied.

[0080] Moreover, the comb can have more that one or two projections,which may or may not include a row of teeth: FIG. 11 shows a comb withfour projections, (16 a) to (16 d), with a cross-shaped cross-section,where each projection has a row of teeth 11. The row of teeth 11 spreadsout two by two in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis X′X,essentially in two perpendicular median planes P1 and P2. The shaft andthe wiper opening of the applicator system thus possess a cruciformprofile, essentially identical to that of the comb. In these variants,the number of projections of the comb, which may be regularly orirregularly spaced along the longitudinal axis, may preferably be fromthree to eight, with the profile of the shaft and the opening of thewiper remaining essentially identical to that of the comb. Certainprojections at beveled extremities may be provided as described above.The rows of teeth can also be staggered along the longitudinal axis by ahalf-step, for example, when the rows have the same separation, in orderto improve the uniformity of distribution of the mascara.

1. A profiled system for application of cosmetic product, from a flask, onto eyelashes or eyebrows, the system comprising: a casing; an elongated shaft integral with the casing, the elongated shaft (14) having at least one continuous projection along its longitudinal axis (X′X); an applicator mounted on the elongated shaft, wherein the applicator is a comb (10) with a contour whose cross-section is largely identical to that of shaft (14), and; and a wiper integral with a groove defined by the flask, the opening (34) in wiper (32) having a contour that is largely fitted to the cross-section of shaft (10) along its longitudial axis, the wiper defining an opening through which the applicator passes. 2-24 withdrawn.
 25. The profiled system according to claim 1, wherein comb (10) has at least one row of teeth (11) whose interstitial dimensions (20) are determined as a function of the composition and texture characteristics of the product (50) to be applied, in order to calibrate the quantity of cosmetic product that might remain during application.
 26. The profiled system according to claim 1 wherein casing 12 is screwed onto flask (30):
 27. The profiled system according to claim 1 wherein casing 12 is snapped onto flask (30).
 28. The profiled system according to claim 1, wherein the wiper has at least one orientation ramp (37) for comb (10) on opening (34) of the wiper, to allow alignment of the comb contour (10) with opening (34).
 29. The profiled system according to claim 1, further comprising a lip (36) bordering the opening of wiper (32) in order to scrape the excess cosmetic product deposited on the comb, and a guiding bead (38), the lip being formed inside wiper (32) to ensure centering of the comb (10) and the shaft (14) onto lip (36).
 30. The profiled system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining ring (33, 33 a, 33 b) on the external side of wiper (32) permitting rotation of wiper (32) while keeping its axial position inside vial (30).
 31. The profiled system according to claim 1, in which the comb includes one or two projections that are diametrically opposed with respect to the longitudinal axis (X′X), spread out along a median plane (P) and having one (11 c) or two rows (11 a, 11 b) of teeth.
 32. The profiled system according to claim 31, in which the two rows (11 a, 11 b) of teeth are diametrically opposed with respect to longitudinal axis (X′X).
 33. The profiled system according to claim 1, in which the shaft, comb and opening in the wiper each have a cross-section that is substantially identical with three to eight projections, forming a star-shaped section profile.
 34. The profiled system according to claim 31, in which the teeth in each row (11 a, 11 b) are adapted to functions determined by the various spacings (20 a, 20 b) between the teeth in the first row relative to the second, on the one hand, and by the flat (F_(a)) or biconcave (F_(b)) shape of the external sides of the respective rows (11 a, 11 b) on the other, for applying cosmetic product (50) on upper or lower eyelashes, respectively, as well as to produce a “voluminizing” or separating effect.
 35. The profiled system according to claim 34, wherein the functions intended to produce a separating effect or to apply cosmetic product on lower eyelashes are carried out by a comb (10) that has flat size which fits into a convex lip (36) of wiper (32) in order to exert pressure on the row with flat sides (11 a) greater than that exerted on the concave row (11 b).
 36. The profiled system according to claim 32, wherein the profiles of the shaft, comb and opening (34) of the wiper are quadriconcave, quadrilinear or biconcave-bilinear in shape.
 37. The profiled system according to claim 36, in which means of visual or mechanical foolproofing are formed on the comb and/or wiper, in order to position the means so that it faces the comb and the wiper that must fit together during the insertion of the shaft into the wiper.
 38. The profiled system according to claim 1 in which the comb has, at one end, at least one beveled portion (14 a) which facilitates insertion of the comb into the wiper.
 39. The profiled system according to claim 1, in which the shaft and the comb and, optionally, the casing, are made from a single molded piece.
 40. The profiled system according to claim 1, in which wiper material selected from one or more of a low-density polyethylene and an elastomeric thermoplastic material.
 41. The profiled system according to claim 1 in which the comb and shaft material selected from one or more of polypropylene, polyamide and polyoxymethylene.
 42. A method for producing a profiled application system comprising: molding a shaft and comb assembly in a mold having lands(s) that are arranged outside the toothed portion (11 a, 11 b, 11 c) of comb (10).
 43. The method according to claim 42, in which the mold advantageously features air holes in close proximity to the ends of the teeth, in order to allow air to escape during plastic injection molding.
 44. The method according to claim 42 wherein the comb is molded around an axial pin to hold the comb according to the longitudinal axis (X′X) during the stripping.
 45. An applicator assembly comprising the profiled application system according to claim 1, combined with a casing (12)-flask (30) assembly adapted to the applicator system.
 46. A method for assembling an applicator assembly according to claim 45, characterized in that wiper (32) is initially pre-positioned on shaft (14), and that once the flask has been filled with the product, shaft (14) is inserted into the groove (31) of the flask, and characterized in that, during the initial closure, while casing 12 abuts the flask, and wiper (32) is drawn in by casing 12 and becomes permanently set into the groove (31) of the flask.
 47. A method according to claim 46, in which, when casing (12) abuts vial (30), the wiper is located in an intermediate position in which ring (33) is in contact with a portion of groove (34) such that the latter exerts an axial-component force (F) on the ring, which is then introduced into the groove in a permanently retained position, creating play between the wiper (32) and the gap (12 a) in the casing. 